Why would a RBTA move that's been in the same spot for 5 months?

[rgonzalez]

So my RBTA is on the move. He's been in the same spot for 5 months, happy as a clam. He has a maroon and gold hosting him.

He is moving to the underside of the rock he's been attached to for the past 5 months. All of my parameters are in check, 0 ammonia, nitrite, <20 nitrates, and 1.025 salinity. Some of his tentacles seem twisted up at the base. But other than that, no other damage.

I did a 10% water change two days ago. That's the only recent change I've made to the tank. All of my LPS are fine.

Oh, and he hasn't shrunk up.

So why is he moving? Splitting?

 

[REEFROOKEE]

change in scenery? did flow or lighting change? well fed? some times they seem to get confused. id move him to a new spot.

 

[rgonzalez]

No flow or lighting change. I haven't directly fed him for months. It's weird that he's moving to the underside of the rock which is out of direct light...

 

[REEFROOKEE]

im pretty sure they dont understand if there in the light or not? they can just sense flow. im pretty sure i read that. some one else wanna chime in and correct me if im wrong?

 

[rgonzalez]

So maybe too much flow? But why move after 5 months, ya know?

 

[REEFROOKEE]

maybe cuz its hungry? its looking for a new spot? move it back and see what happens. im still new to nems to, but i have heard they to like to randomly wander!

 

[rgonzalez]

Update: I moved the nem and his rock to a less "flowy" part of the tank. He still decided to move to the underside of the rock. So I then moved him back to his old place where he would have more shelter.

His tentacles are all out, and he has not shrunk up. Splitting maybe?

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Possibly getting ready for a split. Mine moved during it's split, then continued moving about the tank for days. The clone pretty much stayed put.

 

[rgonzalez]

How long does the splitting process take?